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Reginald Lawrence Papers

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Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Lawrence

Reginald Lawrence started as one of Broadway's thesis playwrights in the 1930s with Men Must Fight and If This Be Treason. His last appearance on the billboards was as co-author of the book of Cole Porter's musical Out of This World. Between these periods he was represented in New York by Feathers in a Gale, and in London by Hervey House, written with Jane Cowl, staged by Tyrone Guthrie and starring Gertrude Lawrence (no relation). During his career he adapted or collaborated on plays with Laurette Taylor, John Golden, Constance Bennett, Richard Aldrich, Robert Joseph, and Saint Subber, among others. He was a "play doctor" for many years in New York (on What a Life!, A Thousand Summers, Camille, etc.) for various producers. In addition to several years spent as professor of drama at Fordham, Colorado College, and the University of Southern California, Mr. Lawrence was represented on most of the live dramatic television shows before they went west, including Suspense, on which Legend of Lizzie was first presented in 1953.

1920 Founder, Theatre Intime, Princeton University. 1924-1926 Actor with Boston Stage Society, semi-pro group. Also director. 1932 (October) First play: Men Must Fight (with S. K. Lauren), Lyceum Theatre, New York. (MGM picture, 1933. Published by Samuel French) 1934 Tryout Theatre: Sweet Bells Jangled, played in Washington, Philadelphia, Boston. Written with Jane Cowl, and Miss Cowl starred. No New York production. 1935 (September) If This Be Treason (with John Haynes Holmes), Theatre Guild of NY. (Published by Macmillan Co.) 1935 (August) Hervey House (with Jane Cowl), H. M. Tennant, His Majesty's Theatre, London. Gertrude Lawrence, star. 1936 Radio Plays for Lux Radio Theatre. 1939 (August) We Three, Bass Rocks Summer Theatre, with Orson Welles Mercury Theatre Company. Tryout. Also director of this season. 1943 Feathers in a Gale (with Pauline Jamerson), Music Box Theatre, NY. Arthur Hopkins, producer and director. (Published Chicago Dramatic Pub. Co.) 1946 Dream of Fair Women, Theatre Guild tryout at Westport, Conn., summer theater, with Donald Cook and Clarence Derwent. 1946-1947 Instructor at Fordham University, New York, and with the American Theatre Wing Professional School in New York, following Dr. Kenneth Rowe. 1947-1948 (summers) Lectured at Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado, also produced major play. 1947 (September) - 1949 (February) Assistant Professor of Drama at U.S.C. under William C. de Mille. 1948 (December) Delegate to Speech Assn. and A.E.T.A. conference in Washington, D.C. Playwriting Committee.

Consists primarily of typescripts of plays Lawrence (Princeton Class of 1921) wrote for theater, film, and television, as well as short stories, poetry, outlines and notes for various projects, some letters, photographs, and newspaper clippings. Included are a typescript and miscellaneous material for the Cole Porter musical Out of This World, the book of which Lawrence co-authored.

Arranged alphabetically by title.

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This collection was processed in 2002.

Publisher
Manuscripts Division
Finding Aid Date
2002
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

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Collection Inventory

All My Wisdom (a play for T.V.), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Alter of Freedom (a play for T.V.), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Always in Vogue (notes for play), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

And Perhaps Happiness (play in verse), Thomas Hornsby Ferrill, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Angel's Flight, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Atherton Boy (play for T.V.) –2 folders, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

A.W.O.L. (radio play), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Boars Come Down (collection of poetry), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Best of Broadway: The Guardsmen (T.V. series), Ferenec Molnar, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Best of Steinbeck (play), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Big Boy (one act play), Leonard Turner, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Big Deal (play for T.V.), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Bird in Flight (operetta), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Bird in Flight (opera), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Bird in Flight (opera in one act), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Bird in Flight (play, AMS), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Blue Ridge, Jack Robson, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Call (T.V. scenario), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Candle (play in one act), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Cathye, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Chaperon-Rouge (play), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Chicago (play), Maureen Watkins, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Chicago (production materials), Maureen Watkins, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Come to the Aid of the Party (short story), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Comic Valentine (play) –5 folders, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Crooked Mile (play in seven scenes), no author, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Days That Will Not Come Again (a play with music), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

De Senectute, 1944 (short story), 1944. 1 box.
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1 box

Dear Daughter (notes for book), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Defender of the Damned (T.V. scenario), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Delay En Route (notes for novel), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Devil (play for T.V.) –2 folders, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Down Will Come Baby, Cradle and All (play) –2 folders, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

A Dream of Fair Women (notes and text), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

A Dream of Fair Women (play) –3 folders, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Ears of Johnny Bear (T.V. play), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Ears of Johnny Bear (T.V. play, revised), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Ears of Johnny Bear (play), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Eccentric Lady Mary (synopsis), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Elizabeth (one act play), John Alarimo, Jr., dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Enemy (synopsis) –2 folders, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Ethel and Albert (play), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Evergreen Bough (play), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Everlasting Arms (T.V. play), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Everlasting Arms (play for T.V., long version) –2 folders, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Eyes of Blue (short, short story), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Feathers in a Gale (play), Reginald Lawrence and Pauline Jamerson –2 folders, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Forests of the Night (play for T.V.) –2 folders, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Four Short Short Stories (short stories), Martha Wilson, MarleneShyer, Norma Levinson, Dori White, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Gaby (outline for a play), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Gags (miscellaneous comedy material), no author, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Georgie (play for T.V.), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Ghost Fleet (play for T.V.), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Give Me a Ring (synopsis), Reginald Lawrence and Marjorie Street, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Golden Girl (treatment), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Great Golden Hills (play) –2 folders, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Grown-Ups (children's T.V. show), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Hallmark Hall of Fame: Dinner for the General (T.V. series), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

A Handful of Diamonds (treatment for T.V.), no author, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Happy Couple (play for T.V.), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Heaven Come Wednesday (play) –2 folders, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Heaven Come Wednesday (play with music), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Heaven Come Wednesday (prophecy in three acts), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Heaven Come Wednesday (play with music), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Heaven Come Wednesday (play), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Heaven Come Wednesday (play), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Heaven Come Wednesday (play, Cleveland version), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Heaven Come Wednesday (play, Henry Street version), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Heights of Folly (musical variety show)–Music: James Sellers; Lyrics: Lee Kneerim, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

His and Hers (short, short story), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

His and Hers (short story), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

How Goes the Batlle? (play for T.V.), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

How Goes the Battle? (treatment for T.V. series), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Immaculate Adventure (play), Robert Joseph, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

In Dubious Battle (treatment), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

It's How You Face It (play), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

It's a Man's World (synopsis), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Jericho (play with music), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Jericho (story idea), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Joan Alexander (T.V. script, first act), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Joe and Mabel: Joe Reads a Book, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Joe and Mabel: Mabel's Lucky Charm, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Joe Flynn Observes (short T.V. script), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Joe Flynn, Reporter (synopsis), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Kodak Family Adventure: The Boston Story (treatment for T.V. series), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Kodak Family Adventure: The Iowa Story (T.V. series), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Kodak Family Adventure: The Newport Story (T.V. series, treatment), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Kodak Family Adventure: The Newport Story (T.V. series), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Last Command (treatment), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Legend of Lizzie (notes, letters, etc.), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Legend of Lizzie (play) –2 folders, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Lightly Turns to Thoughts of Love (play), The Cosmopolitan Club, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Lisa (musical play), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Love for Love (adaptation), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Luigi (one act play), Louis Schram, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Lydia Pinkham (play), Reginald Lawrence and Francis Curtis, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Madman (play for T.V.), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Man Who Had Everything (synopsis), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Marry Me Now (synopsis for radio), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Mortal Enemies (one act play), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Mother of Broadway (T.V. series), Ray Yates, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

My Dear Mr. Bennet (play), A.A. Milne, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

My Last Duchess (one act play), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

My Mother and Father (play for T.V.), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Music Professor (Comic Monologue), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Nine to Five (play for T.V.), no author, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

O Eastern Star (play), H.A. Miller, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Omnibus: The Tie That Binds and the Wonderful Afternoon (treatments for T.V. series), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The One That Got Away (play for T.V.) –2 folders, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Out of This World (musical comedy), Reginald Lawrence and Dwight Taylor, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Out of This World (musical, 1950 version), Lawrence and Taylor, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Out of This World (musical, 1955 version), Lawrence and Taylor, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Out On Bail (synopsis), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Oxen in Irving Place (short story), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Pardon the Sergeant (synopsis), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Paris '29 (play), Claudia Hatch, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Pear Tree (T.V. synopsis), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Peking Man (play), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Poems (collected poems), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Poems: Bears (poetry), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Poet as Dramatist (article), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Pray for Me (one act play), L.R. Guy, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Pupil (outline treatment), Reginald Lawrence and Richard H. Gordon, Jr., dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Quiz Scenes (T.V. series), Reginald Lawrence and Paul Kennedy, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Raise You Ten (short story), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Rickshaw Boy (play), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Room With a View (treatment for T.V.), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

A Rose for Cathy (play for T.V.), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

A Rose Is a Rose or A Rose for Cathy (play for T.V.), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Scrap-Iron Curtain (play for T.V.), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Search: New Voices in the Land (documentary), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Simpleton of the Unexpected Isles (play), George Bernard Shaw, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Sing Her Praises (play), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

A Single Pebble (treatment), no author, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Stand Up Straight (play for T.V.) –4 folders, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Stillness at Appomattox (stage treatment), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Stories of Famous Hymns: The Church in the Wilwood (treatment for T.V.), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Stories of Famous Hymns: Rock of Ages (T.V. script), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Strange Experiences: Little Nap (T.V. series), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Strange Experiences: The Champion (T.V. series), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Strange Experiences: The Perfect Couple (T.V. series), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Strange Experiences: The Senator's Wife (T.V. series), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Summer Romance (notes and synopsis), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

A Summer's Day (play) –3 folders, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Suspense: The Fun Masters (T.V. series), Joel Carpenter, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Thank You, Miss Katherine Hepburn (short story, formerly "Katherine"), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Theory and Practice in Theatre Arts Education (speech), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Thread That Runs So True (musical comedy), Reginald Lawrence and Christopher Sergel, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Tie That Binds (treatment), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Troopship or Turn Again Home (notes and text), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Turn Home Again (dialogue script), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Turn Home Again (play), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Two Together (treatment for T.V.), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Valiant (treatment for T.V., formerly "The Valliant"), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Wagon Show (play), Reginald Lawrence and Jack Daniels, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Wanderer (short story), W. Edgar Phelps, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Waverly Place (play for T.V.), no author, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Waverly Place (T.V. script), no author, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Way of the World (T.V. series), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Way of the World: Fall Vacation (T.V. series), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Way of the World: Second Honeymoon (T.V. series), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Way of the World: Sweepstakes Story (T.V. series), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

We Three (play), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

A Week is Seven Days (short short story), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Who Is She? (treatment), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The William L. Taub Story (treatment and notes), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Wind On Your Shoulder (treatment), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

The Wonderful Afternoon (synopsis), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

World War I: 50th Anniversary Reading, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Yankee Cousin (play), Ren Simcoe, dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Yer Ole Buddy (T.V. continuity), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Your Dutch Uncle (short short story), dates not examined. 1 box.
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1 box

Print, Suggest